Fuel-feeding and suction-inducing device



J. C. COULOMBE.

FUEL FEEDING AND SUCTION INDUCING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 31. m1.

1,424,715. Patented Aug. 1, 1922.

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J. C. COULUMBE.

FUEL FEEDING AND SUCTION maucmc DEVICE.

APPUCAHON FILED MAR 3!;1917.

Patented Aug. 1, 1922.

3 SHEETS SHEET 2.

J. C. COULOMSE.

FUEL FEEDING AND SUCTION INDUCING DEVICE.

APPHCATIDN FILED MAR. 31: 193?.

Patented Aug. 1, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- u g? awvewfo z JOSEPH (J. COULOMBE, OF LOWELL, MASSAGHUQETTS.

FUEL-FEEDING AND SUCTION-INDUCIN'G DEVICE.

Application filed March 31, 1917.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH Q. (ottoman a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Lowell, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fuel- Feed' and Si'iction-Inducing Devices, 01'' which he following is a full, clear. and exactdescription, whereby an one skilled in the ,art may make and use t 1e same.

The invention relates to the class of devices which are employed for raising fuel from a source of supply, and distributing the same to the carbureter of an engine or like device. It permits the arran ement of the source at a lower level than he carburetor in which it is used and insures a constant and adequate supply of fuel for the carburetor at all times. A device of tlieclass referred to is illustrated in my copending application, Serial No. 159,044, filed March 31 1917.

after described defines matter not claimed in said prior application.

It also relates to a means for securing a reduced atmos )heric ressure for raising the fuel by uti izing tie suction effects of an engine, or a suction efi'ect produced in conjunction with the circulation of the Inbricating oil, or both.

It is a principal object of the invention to provide for a proper suction effect under all rumiin I conditions of the engine which induces tie suction or sub-atmospheric condition for raising fuel to the device.

A further object is to provide a compact,

simple form of device having a valve con- Specification of Letters Patent.

The invention herein-.

Patented Aug. 1, 1922.

Serial in. 159,045.

Fig. 2 is a view, on enlarged scale, illustrating the connections of the various parts from the source of supply to the delivery point.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the casing and appurtenant arts, on an en lar ed scale as compared wit 1 Figs. 1 and 2.

I ig. 4 illustrates a suction connection with the carbureter of the engine, with parts broken away.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view through the pump of the oil circulating system and appurtenant parts.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 3 illustrating an arrangement for controlling the fuel inlet.

The invention is illustrated in conjunction with an automobile engine, such a de vice providing a nod example of a wide range of suction e ects.

Fuel feeding devices actuated by suction of an engine are not new in the art, but difiiculty has been experienced in providin a suction system which would operate witi certainty under all of the variable conditions which are inherent in a variablespee'l engine.

When the throttle of such an engine is nearly closed.. there is, ordinarily. excessive suction in the vacuum feed. 'hen thev throttle is wide open; there is a diminution of suction to a point which is hardly sufiicient to raise fuel to the feed device in sufiicient quantity to supply the engine. The apparatus. hereinafter defined. obviates these dilliculties by giving a more even suction at all times. It also serves as an ill-- dicutor for insuring proper attention to the lubricating system.

in the accompanying drawings A, indicates an engine having a manifold 1. connected with the carhurcter 2. which carbureter receives its supply of.fucl from the vacuum fttt'l tank This tank 3. may lie placed in any desired position. Fig. 1 shows it on the engine.

The tank 3, has a suction connection 4. with the intakeside of the engine, and is also provided with a suction connection 5. which runs to the oil circulating system of the engine.

The suction connection 4, terminates adjacent to the throttle of the carburetor. One. form of construction of the connection is illustrated in Fig. 4, where a' boss 6, receives the suction connection 4. The opening 5, of the boss 6, has an expanded o n-.

mg. One leg 7, of this is at one side 0 the throttle valve 8. The other leg 9, is at the opposite side. Thus the o nin 5, communicates with opposite sidfs o? a closed throttle. V

This arrangement rovides for equalization of the suction. n. the case of a wide open throttle, both legs 7, and 9. of the suction connection are subjected to substantially the same suction. Inasmuch as the openings are located adjacent to the throttle where the greatest restriction to the passage of as occurs, the suction at this oint is consi erably greater than it would if made above the throttle or to some other point of the manifold of the engine.

When the throttle is closed or near] so, the connection eliminates the excessive] high suction. neutralizes what woulc ordinaril be a very high suction at the leg 7, provit ed 7, were the only connection. Whie there is sufli cient suction )roduced and made effective, this will not become excessively high, due to the by- )ass effect of the connected openings 7, and 9, from one side to the other of the closed throttle.

One of the main purposes of the invention is to rovide a suction effect for the tank 3, during circulation of oil in the lubricating system.

The lubricating tank is illustrated at 10, and distributes its oil to the engine in any well known manner. No attempt has been made to show the connections from the tank to the various bearings of the engine to be lubricated, it being deemed suiiicient to indicate the tank and a connection from the pump to the tank and from the tank to the engine. The oil pump is indicated at 11,

and. for convenience of illustration, this is shown as of the rotary type .which may be driven from the cam shaft of the engine or in an) other suitable manner. The form of nunp is quite immaterial.

he functIon of such a pump is well understood in the art. and is commonly used for circulating the lubricating oil which is IH uircd for the engine.

s the Iul'n'icatingoil is circulated for the engine. it is passed throu h a device. which operates on the principc of an Ifljfltnl. Such a device is Illustrated in Fig. 5, and consists of a suitable casing or fitting 12, having a converging nozzle 13, and a divcrging nozzle 1-}. There is a chamber 15. bet-worn said nozzles. This chamber, through the pipe or connection 5, produces a suction or vacuum effect in thc suction The 0 ening of the leg chamber of the tank 3, as the lubricating oil is forced-through the nozzles.

It is apparent that, by using the suction effects produced by a connection with the oil pump and its circulating system, an indication is always given of any lack or improper circulation of oil. If no oil is being ed b the pump, the suction obviously diminis es or stops entirely, and the suction chamber of the tank 3 will not be reduced to sub-atmospheric pressure. As a result, no fuel will be drawn into the suction chamber of the tank, and the engine will stall for lack of fuel.

It is impossible to run the engine without roper lubrication without inability of over eating and destro ing the engine. The importance of thein ication given is apparent, particularly as the circulating system, while theengine is in operation. pro vides a very certain and advantageous method of producing the required sub-atmos heric condition in the suction chamber of t e tank.

13 a suitable arrangement of valves and chec s in the suction lines 4. and 5, either suction line maybe utilized or both may he em loved in combination.

a tank 3, is illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. It comprises a main outer casing 16. of cylindrical form which encloses a similar cylindrical casing 17. The casing 17, has, at its lower cud. an annular ring 18. to which is secured a plate 19. This plate is removable and gives access to the suction chamber 20. of the casing 17. It also dirides and separates said chamber 20. which is the operating and suction chamber of the device. from the distributing chamber 21. of the outer casing member 16.

The chamber 21, has suitable connections 22. which, through a pipe line 22. extend to the fuel chamber 2', of the carburetor. it

distributes its fuel under gravital action.

The two casings iii. and 17. are bound together and supported by straps 22".22". The upper strap 22". rests 'ust under the head 23, of the casing iii. and this bcadis engaged by a flange or head 24, provided at the upper ed'e of the casing 17. A comression of t e upper clamping strap 22". iinds the two casings together. though there is not a perfect scal effected between the two casings. This lack of seal. when the outer casing is sli htly crimpcd. permits air to enter the cham ier 21. and maintain what is substantially an atmospheric pressure therein.

The upper casing 17. contains the operating mccianism. and has. upon its upper end, a connecting block 25. provided with a fuel connection 26. and a suction connection 27, the latter being connected through an openin f 28, with the interior of the suction chamber 20.

is a float 3- having a guide tube 38, en-

circling the tube 35. The'float 37, is preferably made in sections 39,40. Clamped between them, is a ba.flle-cup 41, which prevents air bubbles entering the lower edge of the liquid seal chamber 36, when the fuel level of the chamber 20, lowers.

Secured to the bottom of the float 37, is a bracket 42, preferably of U-forin, having a pin and slot connection 43, 44, with a pivoted valve lever 45, which is pivoted to a support 46, mounted upon the partitioninq lp ate 19.

e end of the lever 45, is 47, to a valve rod 48, whic valve 49.

The valve 49, has a valve seat '50, formed about a valve opening 61, extending through the partitioning plate 19. This valve 49, and valve opening 51, have a comparatively ivoted as at controls a large area in order to permit a quick empty:

ing of fuel from the suction chamber 20, to

the distributing chamber 21.

In order to rovide for easy release of said valve 49, tom its seat, a relief opening 52, is formed therein and is controlled by a tapered plug 53, which is adusta-bly secured to the valve rod 48, an through a guide bracket 54.

It will be observed that there is but one connection which must be controlled by the float and liquid seal chamber, namely: the valve 0 ning in the partitioning late, be tween t e suction chamber 20,- and istributing chamber 21.

The valve 49, being closed and the float 37, being down, suction induced by the engins vase subatinos heric condition in the chem lo! 20, and the maid seal chamber 36. Fuel is now drawn into the chamber 20, through the tube 33. As the fuel rises above the lower edg of the inverted cup 34, it will form a liquid seal separating the chain her 36, from the chamber 20. A. continued rise of fuel will take place in both chambers. but the rate of rise will be greater in the chamber 20.

When the level of fuel in the chamber 36, rises to an extent "to immerse the float 37, and give it suiiicient buoyancy, the float will rise. The first movement of the float opens the relief 5'2, and a further movement opens passesthe valve 49,. Thereupon, the contents of the upper chamber 20, will begin to drop a to the distributing chamber 21, owing to the percolation of air from the chamber 21, to the chamber 20, as the difierence in pressure of the chambers tends to equalize.

As soon as there is an increase of pressure in the chamber 20 there is a rise of level of fuel in the liquid seal chamber 36, which causes the float to rise to its highest position, bringing its sto 37, against the ower end of the fuel tu 33. 1.116 valve 49, IS now fully opened and permits complete discharge of the chamber 20, into the chamber 21. The stop 37, closes the end of the inlet tube 33, and prevents How of fuel therethrough.

As the level of the fuel in the chamber 20, falls to the lower e of the liquid seal chamber 36, there will e no dropping of the float 37, as it is still buoyant in the fuel contained and held within the chamber 36. This condition will maintain until the level has fallen sufliciently to admit air to the chamber 36, whereupon the relative pressures of the chamber 36, and the chamber 20, will equalize, and the chamber 36, will discharge its contents with great rapidity. Thereupon, the float 87, will drop, giving a hammer-blow efi'ect for the closing of the valve 49. I

The above described cycle of operation will continue so long as the distributin chamber 21, requires a charge of fuel, an suction in the upper chamber 20, is maintained by the operation of the engine.

The liquid seal chamber 36, is, in itself, a buoyant elementand through the tubular connections and bearings 35, 38, a, certain amount of adhesion exists, so that the inverted cup in its upward movement (due to its buo ancy) tends to aid and make more effective t e upward movements of the float.

It will be apparent from the above that a most certain o eration is insured for com trolling the con ltions of suction, fuel levels in the suction chamber, and the dischar ing of such fuel into the distributing chain er.

The sim licity of the device, with its features of e ciency, makes it possible to produce a structure having unusually perfect action and merit at a minimum expenditure of labor and costs.

It is most accessible, inasmuch as the main casing need not be disturbed when all of the operating parts are removed. A loosening of the upper strap 22", and the fuel and suction connections 26, and 2?, permits removal of the operating chamber as a unit with the entire operating mechanism. The valve may thus be inspected and adjusted without removing the supporting and partitioning plate 19. A removal of the partitioning plate 19, carries with it the entire valve mechanism and operating float. The inverted cu great faci itys,

The detai of the Pu and other connections, and the form of e pump ma of course, be varied to suit the exigencies 0 any particular case. The advantages of utilizrug the circulatory system for the lubricatin fuel, as a means for producin suction in t e chamber 20, is ap arent. er used as the only means 0 producing said suction or used co -o ratively with the suction of the engine, 13 a matter of selection.

It is not imperative that an injector such as described be used to effect the necessary suction. 'In fact, very satisfactory results have been attained, in the practice of the in vention, b simply leading the suction pipe line direct y into the oil circulating system, at the suction side of the pump.

In Fi 6 of the drawings, there is illustrated t e mine arrangement of casing members, chambers, float and controlling1 valve, between the.suction or o cratin c amber and the distributing cham r, as eretofore described in conjunction with Fig, 3.

The connecting block for the fuel inlet and suction connection, while of the same 34, may then be removed with form heretofore described, is so arranged as to rovide a'convenient means of valve control for the fuel inlet.

In Fig. 6, the outer casing A, has a telescopic engagement with the casing B and the bottom plate C, divides the structure into,a suction or operatirig chamber D', and a disgributing chamber the same as in 'valve'F, constructed, operating, and havin connecting parts, the same as do scri in Fl .-3, controls the valve opening G, between t e chambers D, and E. This valve is controlled by a float H, extending into the liquid seal chamber I, and is connected with the valve and appurtenant parts through a lever J.

The casing i of the liquid seal chamber I. slides upon a guide is, secured to the head of the casing B and has a bearing tube j, which forms a guide and bearin for the float H.

The connectir? block is of substantially the same cm as that of Fig. 3, but is arran d at one side of the center of the casing It is provided with a fuel inlet L, and a suction connection, which through an o ning l. communicates with the suction ciamber D. Interior] of the connecting block K, there is a va ve seat m, having a controlling valve M, and projecting within the chamber D, below the valve seat 111, and its valve M, there is a tubular strainer O. This strainer serves to strain the in-flowing fuel, and its lower end a, is perforated to provide a guide for the valve stem n, of the valve M. A screw lug N, is arranged in line with the valve giving access to said valve and serving as a priming plug.

The valve stem n, is of suilicient length to rest upon the valve lever J, and the parts are so arranged that the valve M, is raised from its seat when the valve F, is'closed and the float H, is down.

When the float H, rises, opening the valve F, the valve M, drops to its seat and cuts of further flow of fuel to the suction chamcth-beD Inasmuch as the valve M, operatw in uni son with the valve F, itis apparent that there is no liability of flooding If the engine suction is employed, either in combination with the oil pump or separate: ly, unusual advantages are attained by making the terminal connection as indicated at the throttling point and in a form which extends to opposite sides of the throttle valve when the latter is in closed or nearly closed position. 7

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: a

1. The combination with an internal combustion engine having a carburetor and a lubricating system; of means for feeding. fuel to, said engine comprisi a suction chamber and a distributing cham er a valve and valve mechanism for control ing the flow of fuel from the suction. chamber to the distributing chamber, a fuel tank, a connection from the fuel tank to the suction chamber, a connection from the distributing chamtion induced by the engine and hav ng asuction chamber, an oil pump for the en nc, connections for said pump through w ich the lubricant of the engine is circulated, an in'ector arranged in the connections of the lubricating system, and a suction connection 'from said in ector to the liquid feedingapparatus, whereby a circulation of lubricant through the lubricating system and injector induces a suctionin theliquid feeding ap-' paratus.

3. The combination with an internal combastion engine having a carburetor, connec, tions therefrom to the intalre'side of the engine, a throttle for the carburetor, a lubricating system. a pump for circulating lu bricant through said system; of a fuel feed ing device, utilizing suction to raise fuel for distribution to the carburetor, means for inducing suction in' said fuel feeding device consisting of a connection therefrom terminating adjacent to the throttle valve whereby the vacuum in the intake connection of the engine induces a suction for thcfuel thro connections induces a suction in t feeding device, and a connection from said fuel feeding device to the amp of the lubricnting a stem, whereby t e movement of lubricant t rough said system induces a suction for the fuel feeding device, and means for controlling both of the suction connections.

4; The combination with an internal combustion engine having a lubricating system comprising a pum and pipe connections h which sai pum circulates lubricant or the engine; of a uel feeding device for the en ine employing suction for moving fuel for tfistributlon to said engine, an injector co-operatively related with said pump and its connections, and a connection from said jec'tor to the fuel feeding device through which suction induced by the passage-of lubricant through the injector induces the necessary suction for the fuel feed device.

5. The combination with an internal combustion engine having a pump driven by the engine for circulating liquid, and ipe connections for said pump throu h w ich liquid is circulated; of a fuel ceding device em loying suction for moving fuel for distri ution to the en e, a suction connection from said fuel fee ing device to the intake side of the circulating pum whereby the pump in circulating liquid t rou h its pipe e suction connection for the fuel feed device during the circulation of liquid, and an injector arra pum and the fuel feeding device.

6;, n a device of the character described,

a-suction chamber, a distributing chamber, -'a valve opening, a valve controlling communication between said chambers, a float for controll' said valve, a fuel inlet for the suction cham r, and a valve controlling said inlet, said valve having a stem rojecting into the ath of movement of t e float controlled 'va ve and actuated thereby.

'7. In a-device of the character described having a suction chamber and a valve mechanism for controlling the action of the suction chamber; a sectional float for controlling the valve mechanism, an inverted cup encircling said float, and a cup-like baflle seated between the sections of the float and extending upward toward the lower end of the inverted cup.

8. In a device of the character described, a suction chamber, a distributin chamher, a valve-opening between said c ambels, a valve controlling said openin a float for controlli .said valve, a fuel inlet for the suction c amber, and a valve controlling said inlet, said fuel inlet valve actuated by a movement of the float and co-related in its movements, with the movements of the in.the pipe connections in which the valve controlling the valve opening between the chambers.

9. In a device of the character described, a suction chamber, a distributing chamber, a valve-opening, and a valve controlling communication between said. chambers, a float for controlling said valve, a fuel inlet for the suction chamber, a valve controlling said inlet and closing in the direction of flow of fuel to the suction chamber,and connections between said valve and the float-com trolled valve whereby the former is opened upon a closing movement of the latten' 10. In a device of the character described, a suction chamber a distributing chamber, a valve-opening, a valve controlling communication between said chambers a float for controllingl said valve, a fuel inlet for the suction c amber, a screen extending therefrom, a valve controlling the fuel inlet, said valve hav' a stem projecting through the screen, an connections between the float and stem for actuating the fuel inlet valve.

11. The combination with an internal combustion engine, of a force feed lubricating system therefor, a fuel feed system and means operated by the movements of the liquid in the lubricating system and connected with the fuel feed system, and d to control the operation of the latter, where- 'by when the In rica'nt fails to circulate, the feed of the fuel isautomatically interrupted.

12. In a device of the character described a suction chamber, a valve mechanism and valves controllin said suction chamber and controlling the flow of liquid thereto and therefrom, a float mechanism controlling said valve mechanism and valves, a fuel inlet for the suction chamber, a valve controllin said inlet, said valve closing in the. direcliion of flow of fuel to the suction chambar and means for automatically opening said valve.

13. In a device of the character described, a suction chamber, means for controlling the action ofsaid suction chamber with respect to a liquid. pasing therethrough a fuel inlet for said suction chamber, a va ve controlling said fuel inlet and closing in the direction of flow of fuel to the suction chamber, and means for openin said valve at a predetermined level of fueF in the suction chamber.

14. In a device of the character described, a suction chamber, a fuel inlet for said chamher, a valveautomatically closing under the pressure of flow of fuel to the chamber, and means operated by the change of level of fuel in said chamber for openm said valve.

JOSEPH C. CO OMBE. Witnesses:

Wanna): A. Brsnor, Amos Hammon. 

